Hedges , what and how to plant

[LIZS]

Would like to cultivate a hedge at the front of our plot, part screen and part noise absorber. What type should we plant - needs to be quite fast growing, easy to prune but not really Leylandii ! Suggestions please

We have a beech hedge which is good as it never really has no leaves on. Not sure how fast growing it is, ours is cut once a year and is about 8ft tall. Of course dh is allergic to the pollen, so isn't that keen on the garden at the moment.

beech is slow growing

what about box?

i've got a normal privet hedge. you can buy them now about 3ft. planting was easy just bung loads of bonemeal down first then lots of topsoil. since last year they've grown at least a foot!

lots of hedge info here